This chapter aims to reconsider the long-dominant interpretations of the popular revolt which the new Kingdom of Italy had to face in its southern provinces in the aftermath of national unification, during the 1860s. It argues that by carefully looking for clues about the politicization of the popular revolts of the 1860 and 1861, as well as of the guerrilla that rose up against the new regime, it is possible to offer an alternative interpretation of the relationship between southern rebels, masses and politics.